Why do anti-virus programs quarantine rather than just destroy found viruses and malware?

Question

Thank you Jbravo I will keep you considered in future.

Answer 1

Sometimes files disguise themselves as operating system files or they are needed to run your operating system.

Answer 2

Just in case it removes something that is essential to the operation of your computer or peripherals after mistaking it as a virus. This gives you the ability to put it back. If it deletes it, you might never find what's wrong or have to go back to the original CD or download and start from scratch.

Answer 3

"Destroy" implies ridding the system of the program and all of it's files, which could be thousands, and because no 2 systems have identical directories, it can only remove them with the directories staying intact.  Without the directories, sometimes your system can crash when it needs to find a system file which could call for a process in that directory.

You can only manually remove infection/viruses, and there are experts out there who can show you how, because it is different for each individual infection.

If you have something you want to remove, let me know, I'd be happy to help you.

You can contact me via e-mail:

[e-mail]  "For all your PC needs."

Answer 4

So you can have a look at the problem before deciding to delete it or not.

Answer 5

In case you have to backup.Some use legit windows operating files.By quarantining it you can tell if your going to have problems.

If so, you return the file.